Sec. 5. 24-A MRSA §4245 is enacted to read:

§4245.__Medical alternatives

All health maintenance organization plan contracts must provide coverage for nontraditional medical alternatives, including, but not limited to, polarity therapy, naturopathy, homeopathy and the services of a licensed nutritionist and dietitian when the services are medically necessary and the patient is referred by a physician.__The patient has the option of choosing a nontraditional medical alternative.

Sec. 6. Applicability. This Act applies to a policy or contract executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act. A policy or contract is deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Department of Human Services to authorize coverage of nontraditional medical alternatives and nutritional and dietary services under the Medicaid program. The bill also requires all health insurance policies and contracts and health maintenance organization plan contracts to provide coverage of nontraditional medical alternatives and nutritional and dietary services. The bill also allows the patient to choose the method of treatment.